MACC needs adequate funds & good officers to fight corruption.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw once again calls the Federal Government to allocate at least RM350 million for the budget of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) which should show that it is really effective in combating corruption in the country.

The Coroner's Court should arrive at an unbiased judgement on Teoh Bing Hock case that has cast a dark shadow. Let justice be seen.

All Malaysians should be very concerned with bureaucracy, corruption and decadence. Just as the Independent Commission Against Corruption(ICAC) in Hong Kong, MACC should rise above all these and prove that it is truly relevant.

Dr Tan has spoken out on the funding for MACC and Malaysian Integrity Institute (IIM). If these institutions were to be effective, it would need adequate budget and efficient personnel who act without fear or favour.

We understand that there has been an economic downturn and that the budget of virtually all ministries has been cut. But, MACC should not have been affected.

This year, the commission asks for RM324 million. Instead, it has got RM167.8 million. It has proposed 900 new staff members. But, it has been given 76, which has been achieved by swotting only.

What is clear is that senior officials of ICAC have given talks to MACC that mirrors itself on ICAC, among others. ICAC has a ratio between personnel and cases of 1 in 4,whereas MACC has 1 in 12.

MACC should have better finance and better personnel. I shall repeat this in Parliament.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw